Volume 1, Chapter 1.

  World of Possibilities

  System Note 1: Humans cannot function efficiently without connection. Students forming connections is the most crucial element.

  Life is a chain of probabilities. Smart-Dumb, Strong-Weak, Growth-Decline, Life-Death... All reality is this. Probability is the thrill in this empty and boring world.

  I was mumbling these words from my dry lips. The high-pitched pain in my head, the rumbling in my stomach... were signs I wasn't dead...

  My head started to spin... I'm having trouble breathing. What- what's happening? Ugh...

  I heard a sound from afar. It was such a faint sound; I thought the person making it couldn't even hear it clearly.

  "tin..."

  The sound got a little closer. This... this is the sound of a piano.

  "tin...plin...tinn."

  As the sounds got closer, a weight began to press down on me... it felt like I was drowning with every note.

  Stop... I... it's like... I've lived this moment. Pressure on my chest, the approaching piano sound. This moment... I know it...

  "TAANNN!"

  I suddenly snapped my eyes open, my eyeballs bulging. I felt my gray hair fly. Even with my eyes open, what I saw didn't change much. At least I could feel my body now.

  Realizing I was lying on the ground, I got up from where I was lying and sat down.

  "Where am I?"

  There's nothing around me... just an empty black.

  What was I doing last? Where was I? Who was I with? I can't remember...

  "tin...!"

  I heard the piano sound again, up close.

  I stood up and started running towards the piano sound. With every step I took, blue rings emerged from the ground and spread out.

  "dinnn...plin...tinn..."

  As I ran, my body grew numb. My arms, my hands...

  What was I running for? To find the person playing the piano?

  I started to lose feeling in my chest and head...

  As I lost control of my face, the emotions I had suppressed came to the surface. My tears began to flow like water from a tap—No, like a waterfall.

  "Tin, tin, tin... TIN!"

  As I felt the contractions in my face, I started to lose feeling in my arms and legs too...

  I was no more... the only proof of my existence was the tears flowing from my eyes. I could see. But what difference did it make! Everywhere was black!

  A blue light appeared before me... as if someone had heard my words.

  "DAN-DAN"

  I started running with all my might, feeling like I was flying towards the blue light.

  "DANG!"

  With the final piano chord, everything suddenly stopped. My eyes closed. My ears began to ring as the pressure inside me peaked...

  "Will you be able to pay the price for your power?"

  It was a deep whisper from afar. It was a challenge. It was an awakening. It was a price...

  "Aaaaa!"

  I woke up screaming like a caveman. This time... this time was even worse...

  As I returned to the real world, I noticed my feet and hands tingling. Tingling is rarely seen after dreams... but it's happening to me in this dream in a strange way.

  It feels like dying and being reborn... every time that feeling comes, this dream cycle comes to mind.

  To understand if I was dreaming, I looked at my hands. My hands looked normal.

  As far as I remember, they looked normal within the dream too.

  I felt the whisper echoing in my mind.

  "Will you be able to pay the price for your power?"

  "Will you be able to pay the price for your power?"

  I brought my hand to my head and said to myself, "I'm already paying the price."

  "Son," my mother's voice calling me from the door startled me.

  "Yes?"

  "Are you... okay?"

  "Yes, I had a dream again."

  "O-Okay, it must be time for school, honey." "I'll get ready now."

  "When will these dreams end..." My mother's muffled grumble as she went into the bedroom was clearly audible. She wasn't wrong.

  I'm tired of this same dream too. Only a few things and my reactions change.

  I threw the blanket off and sat on the corner of the bed.

  Every time I woke up, I saw the room, not tidied up all summer, which made me sick of life.

  On my white desk, scattered manga and Light Novels lay in disarray, like an invitation calling me to those universes. The dust from my clothes overflowing from my holographic closet created a pressure on my chest. Food crumbs and strands of hair on the black carpet... it felt like a caveman was living here.

  In this situation, I am the caveman. Why don't I clean this place?

  I reached for my desk and checked the time on my phone.

  "There's still an hour..."

  * *

  I straightened the collar of my green uniform. I loosened my tie slightly. I glanced one last time at my black fabric pants; they looked stylish.

  I picked up my blue bag and walked towards the front door. I looked at myself in the mirror one last time.

  My gray hair falling in front of me still wasn't quite right. I started to fix my hair with my hands. My brown eyes seemed more vibrant in the mirror.

  Of course, this mirror is a new high-end model.

  It didn't reflect you; it showed your true self. How good is that? Seeing yourself with reality.

  Without lingering too long, I grabbed my bag and headed for school.

  After jumping down the apartment stairs, I swiped my finger on the machine that opened after I arrived.

  As my finger was scanned, the apartment door opened. I stopped in the apartment and looked outside.

  Flying Jekis, white, latest model designed houses. Screens on some of the houses. As usual, it created pressure and suffocation within me. Is being born in such a technological age a blessing?

  I think I was born in this era by mistake. I could have been a human species that lived millions of years ago. Or a caveman...

  We must not forget the scorching rays of the sun and the dazzling green of the trees. Alongside so much technology, nature is the only thing that leaves me in the embrace of peace.

  I stepped into the garden. I hadn't woken up at this hour all summer.

  Summer hadn't ended yet, in a way. Today was the first day of school; August 18th. Even though the hottest days had passed, the weather was still hot.

  With a few steps towards the garden gate, the door opened by itself.

  "Good day Do?u?, would you like to say where you're going?"

  "I'm going to school. Good day to you too, Caretaker."

  "Have a good lesson!"

  The artificial intelligences, present in almost every garden, provided us with great convenience. Of course, they don't just open doors.

  I stroked the bag on my arm. I noticed my heart beating non-stop since yesterday. Getting used to school might not be easy.

  I controlled myself and took a few steps. With every step, my swallows increased, and I clenched my teeth involuntarily.

  I need to distract myself.

  On the way to school; the sound of crying children. Sleepy zombies, the excited voices of children talking with their buddies...

  Just a normal Istanbul crowd. 21 million people.

  It's 8:48 AM. Normally, work hours start around 7:30 AM, while school hours are between 8-9 AM. I think they do this to prevent congestion. Is it very effective?... Well.

  I noticed the sky clouding over. Dark clouds were gathering with strange speed.

  Without dwelling on it too much, I started watching the people in the crowd.

  Suddenly, lightning struck! I stopped abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk. Then, I was stunned by the thunder.

  The clouds had completely covered the sun... With another rumble of thunder, my eyebrows furrowed. I just stared up at the sky.

  "Is the sky rumbling?" "Mom! Lightning is striking!"

  "Calm down, it will pass soon..."

  "Is it going to rain, man?"

  Amidst the human voices, thunder rumbled once more. Maybe I should have taken my umbrella...

  I took out my phone and opened the weather forecast. It showed sunny all day today. Sudden changes are not common.

  Something white fell on my phone.

  "he"

  They started coming one after another. It was as if everything had stopped at that moment. Time, sounds, thoughts...

  As I raised my face to the sky, my eyes widened to their fullest...

  "Is this... snow?"

  I watched the large snowflakes dance erratically in the air.

  "Mom, look, snow?"

  "Wh-Where did snow come from this season?"

  The 6-year-old girl, delighted by the snow, started jumping.

  Her mother looked at her impassively...

  "You'll catch a cold."

  "Snow, snow, snow!"

  The child raised her hands and opened her palm to the snow.

  The girl's long gray hair rippled in the wind. Her sparkling blue eyes made one think of the future.

  She wasn't the only child whose joy I witnessed. The child was acting with the emotions the snow evoked.

  The raised eyebrows and smiling faces of high school students could be perceived as strange.

  I continued walking. As if nothing had happened, as if I hadn't noticed the children, the situation.

  As I reached the city square, I noticed the density of people. Most of them were students. It was very clear; the adults had woken up.

  Apart from the children, no one was making a sound. If I closed my eyes, I would feel like I was in a sparsely populated school.

  "Scientists have finally succeeded!"

  At that moment, I noticed the unobtrusive holographic screens. There was a buzzing news report on the screen.

  "Scientists who have been working on weather modification for many years have finally succeeded in changing the weather!"

  "With this great development, we will now reduce global warming and water scarcity."

  As the wind blew my hair, I released the breath I was holding. Steam came out of my mouth. They really succeeded.

  As I continued walking, my eyes drifted to another screen.

  "Crime rate in the country decreased by 85%."

  "Resource efficiency 97%."

  "TL value 78%."

  It continued like this for a long time...

  "We are now getting full yield from agriculture and animal husbandry. Streets are safe, working hours are shorter..."

  It was reporting the developments, as it did every Monday.

  How perfect...

  I didn't want to look at the other screen. Just listening was enough.

  A politician was speaking.

  "We must put an end to wars. The death of our technology means our own death!"

  He seemed against the international deployment of robots. Technology is dying... even a middle schooler knows it's not.

  I inhaled the clean oxygen. I released my clenched teeth. I must prepare.

  * *

  As the school came into view, I saw students lining up by the railings for the National Anthem. A Turkish anthem sung every Monday and Friday. A matter that people care about. I also love and respect our anthem.

  I felt the presence of snow once more thanks to the wind.

  After a short while, I reached the school entrance and passed through the prison-like iron gate. Just then, I heard an incomprehensible sound.

  "Please scan your fingerprint."

  I turned towards the direction of the sound. A machine, about chest height, stood to my right. It had a square screen; on the screen was an unresponsive AI with a black background.

  I placed my finger on the machine to confirm my fingerprint.

  "Confirmed."

  They had taken my fingerprint when I registered for school. So that's what it was for.

  I entered the courtyard. The ground was paved with yellow stones. To my right and left were plants surrounded by stones. A light dusting of snow had accumulated on them.

  Following the path to the left garden, I reached the rows.

  The row area was, of course, large. Considering the entire school is here, it's normal. Most people didn't even react to the snow.

  The rows were orderly enough to be praised. But there was a bit too much noise.

  I need to find my classroom row. I walked to the front of the rows and scanned the sections written in "Ge?i? Boyas?" (Transition Paint) with my eyes.

  "8/M"

  "8/O"

  "8/X"

  "8/V"

  I entered the row for class 8/V. The sections were different for primary and middle schools. I wonder what they were based on...

  As I walked towards the back, I was subjected to brief glances from students.

  I think most students were trying to adjust to their new school.

  Reaching the back, I took a deep breath.

  "Welcome."

  With this deep voice coming from nearby, I looked to the left.

  A student with a neutral expression and long, tied navy blue hair. The moment I noticed him, I felt something different within me.

  I involuntarily squinted my eyes. He too squinted his eyes shortly after. It was as if... as if we were feeling similar things.

  "Thanks," I said, breaking this strange moment.

  "You seem stressed?"

  "Yes, that's right," I don't know how he knew...

  "You? Aren't you stressed?"

  "Ah, yes. I am."

  It felt a bit strange... But since we're in the same class—

  "What's your name?"

  "Do?u? Arslanalp."

  "I'm Azura."

  Azura... I liked this name.

  "How are your classes?"

  Why was he analyzing me so much?

  "Good."

  I made eye contact with a teacher. Someone with yellow hair parted in the middle, raised eyebrows. He wore glasses, green glasses. He had a calm demeanor.

  I averted my gaze.

  "I haven't socialized for a long time. Excuse me. I hope we get along well."

  I don't know... Also, this familiar strange feeling doesn't explain itself. My probabilities are about to come alive.

  The teacher... will come towards me soon. Why? Shouldn't I have looked?

  My intuition was right, as the teacher started walking. He entered the row where I was.

  He stopped in front of me.

  "Do?u?."

  "Yes?"

  A few people from class 8/W, especially from class 8/V, looked at us.

  "You are in the wrong row," "Huh?" A few people looking at us started laughing at my strange sound. It wasn't a good laugh. It was a condescending laugh.

  The teacher neither laughed nor belittled. He just looked at me.

  "Follow me," he said, and I followed him.

  The students' laughter didn't last long. After all, it's the first day of school; there are other things to focus on.

  The teacher pointed to the row for 8/X with his index finger.

  "You belong to class 8/X."

  That was my class, my row, my friends.

  I entered the row. No one was aware of what had happened. The row was quieter than the others.

  As I moved to the last row, I scanned the people. A nonchalant boy with green hair, a girl with furrowed brows and pink hair, a boy with his arms crossed... As I reached the last row, I made eye contact with him. The first thing that caught my eye was that strange body shape.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  He had a slightly masculine, slightly feminine energy. As I looked at him, he put his hands on his hips and looked at me.

  "What are you looking at?"

  His white hair was braided long on both sides.

  His purple eyes, looking at me sternly... were attractive.

  "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable."

  He was taken aback, his eyebrows raised. But his hands were still on his hips. "There must have been a few people looking at you during the day."

  "Ah—yes! These teenagers are so perverted."

  The reason they were looking wasn't perversion or adolescence. The different body structure and eyes actually showed many things.

  "Some are indeed. I hope no one from our class was looking."

  "Hmm..."

  He put his hand on his chin and started thinking.

  "There were people looking... but... it's like there weren't. I mean, no perverts."

  That was good news.

  "That's good. I don't want problems in my class."

  "Indeed," he said... and the conversation stalled. Great... I need to think of something to restart the conversation.

  "My name is Asena, yours?" he said, making my thinking unnecessary.

  "My name is Do?u? too," I said my name without much delay.

  "What are your hobbies?" I asked. I feel like we can be friends.

  "...Actually... I'm interested in music," it was a half-open, half-vague reasonable answer.

  "I'm-"

  "knock knock..." the conversation was interrupted by the principal coming to the podium...

  The principal found the perfect time to come to the podium.

  The podium was of extremely high quality. It could take a square shape and be portable.

  "Everyone be quiet, please," the principal was expressionless. He looked cold.

  His navy blue hair was slicked back with gel, and he wore a navy blue suit to match his hair.

  "The 2250-2251 academic year begins today."

  "This school... exists to educate you. But not in the way you might think."

  As the sentence ended, most of the 8th graders' eyebrows rose, their mouths fell open. Some couldn't contain their emotions and whispered to the person next to them.

  "You won't just study here. You won't just take exams and get grades."

  I had seen this information when I researched the school a bit. But like all schools, they leaked little information outside.

  "Here you will get to know yourselves... and we will get to know you..."

  "Every movement, every decision, every reaction you make has meaning."

  "Some of you will be leaders. Some will blend into the herd. Some, however... will be erased by the system."

  "Perhaps you will make a truce with all classes... perhaps you will be aggressive."

  "There is justice here. But mercy... is not guaranteed."

  Were these words... a summary of the next 3 years?

  "You will make friends. You will witness betrayals. And one day you will look back and say... they warned us in the first speech."

  "Remember. Losing in this school is not just about losing a grade."

  "Sometimes... you lose yourselves."

  After all these words, there was a great silence.

  Now the 8th graders understood they hadn't come to a normal high school. Is there such a thing as a normal high school?

  "You will be informed during the day. After the National Anthem, you will follow the teacher in front of you in order from the 8th and 10th grades to your classrooms," he said and stepped down from the podium.

  What kind of education will they provide, I wonder...

  The reactions of the 9th and 10th graders would be useful. We would understand many things.

  "Isn't it strange?" said Asena.

  "It is..."

  Asena suddenly furrowed her brows and slightly pursed her lips.

  "Heh... what happened?"

  "Nothing," she said and quickly turned away.

  Ugh... I hope school doesn't always feel like this.

  After a short while, we stood at attention for the National Anthem. We sang the Anthem with the guidance of a teacher.

  As the National Anthem ended, students from the 8th and 10th grades began to leave in order. Each class followed a teacher.

  In our row, there was a teacher around 40-50 years old. He was noticeable with his glasses, thick mustache, and short stature.

  When it was our turn, we started walking.

  I entered the school. The entrance was small. There was a sensor door in front of us. We thought we would pass through it, but we proceeded in double rows down the large corridor to the right.

  Other classes were coming behind us.

  We reached the main entrance at the end of the corridor. To our right and left were large elevators. Noticeably, a long staircase was located a short distance from the left elevator...

  To our left was an escalator. Not like the ones in malls, of course...

  We lined up to get into the right elevator. Most people were looking around. A few were visibly impressed. The whispers didn't stop. I find it normal.

  As the elevator doors opened, our barely stable line entered the elevator. The elevator was different from regular elevators. It had a holographic interior. It could hold over 200 people, and the probability of getting stuck or the elevator falling was 0.1%. At least, that's what it said inside the elevator.

  As the other 2 classes arrived, the teacher pressed the button. The elevator began to move. The elevator was very comfortable. Despite 3 classes being on board, everyone had space to move.

  "Today the weather is 5°C. The date is Monday, August 18th. Do you have any other requests?"

  "Whoa... artificial intelligence!" one of the students trying to stay quiet couldn't hold back. This student looked like a middle school girl. She was blonde and petite.

  Her long hair was tied into a bun, slightly damp.

  "It's not surprising to be amazed by artificial intelligence," said the girl next to her.

  This girl was slightly taller than the blonde one. Her dark blue hair cast a gloom over me.

  Sensing my gaze, the blonde girl turned her eyes to me. I quickly looked away.

  "What is it? Are you looking at us?"

  "Ah... you're the only one speaking in a single voice," the other students were just whispering among themselves.

  "Hm..." The blonde girl brought her index and middle fingers together and pressed them to her lips.

  "Never mind her, Jale, you can't trust boys," I thought this girl was smart. I was wrong.

  I noticed someone. They were watching us. I think it was someone with their hair tied back...

  When they said "you can't trust boys," their eyebrows furrowed. When was that—

  "tin..."

  "Have a good day."

  The elevator arrived at the floor for the 8th grades.

  Slowly and calmly, the other classes started to exit ahead of us.

  "See you later, mysterious child," said the girl who looked like a middle schooler. She exited the elevator shortly after.

  As the other classes left, we were the last to exit the elevator.

  "We continue..." the teacher's reminder made us walk in a line into the corridor.

  The corridor was different...

  "Is this school?"

  "Why isn't light coming through the windows?"

  "The light... is so... pleasant..."

  The students' reactions were inevitable. Very little light came through the windows.

  The school had its own yellow light. There were holographic panels on the walls.

  The panels displayed the achievements of former 8th-grade students. What they did, who did it, the events that occurred.

  I estimate most events were hidden.

  Our classroom was very close. After passing through the large corridor of the elevator, the first classroom was ours: class 8/X.

  Students entered the classroom, and I arrived shortly after.

  The strangeness of the desks caught my eye. They were black, with small blue lines. It was clear they were comfortable.

  The desks were for two people, divided into 3 groups. On each student's desk, there was a square blue area. What was that for...?

  There was also a holographic panel in the classroom. I saw curtains that closed by themselves.

  Our classroom windows were on the right. The left side was a wall.

  The board was a thin technological board. It felt different.

  "Check your seat numbers on your phones."

  Our seating arrangement was determined by our seat numbers. As students took out their phones, I complied and took out mine.

  My seat is number 1. The numbers start from the front window edge; so my seat is at the front window edge. I put my bag under the desk and sat in my seat.

  Will there be any changes later?

  I put my hand on my chin and started watching the front garden of the school.

  There were light walking paths in the front garden. It wasn't an area for playing games. It was more of a quiet, peaceful area.

  "diinnn...dinnn..."

  A faint, high-pitched bell rang, distracting me.

  The teacher stood at the board and said, "Good morning."

  The students stood up and replied, "Good morning!" I noticed a few of us didn't stand up.

  "knock knock."

  The door knocked suddenly and unexpectedly.

  A few students entered the classroom.

  They stood in front of the board. They must have forgotten their seat numbers or didn't have E-schools on their phones.

  The seat next to me is still empty... I guess one of these three students will come to my side.

  "Teacher, I forgot my phone at home... can you check my seat number?" said a girl among them, smiling warmly.

  It was rare to see someone like her in this era.

  This student had fair skin and water-green hair. Her eyes were greener than her hair. She was of average height for girls.

  The other two who forgot their phones: a girl with red hair. A boy with a dejected face. Also, unkempt and long hair.

  The teacher told those who forgot their phones their seat numbers... the prominent girl, seat number 4, the dejected boy, seat number 9, the red-haired one... number 1—

  This girl I didn't know sat next to me without saying anything. She took out her tablet from her bag, ignoring me. I followed suit and took out my tablet.

  It's not good that she's sitting next to me! I'll have to hide my emotions more, or else... I might be exploited.

  "Before we start the lesson, we will introduce ourselves."

  I guess I can get to know her and the class this way.

  "Let's start with seat number 1."

  The red-haired girl immediately stood up.

  "My name is Melis Serya, I am 14 years old."

  She moved to sit down...

  "Don't sit down right away, let's see your hobbies? What do you want to be?"

  "My hobbies and what I want to be are no one's business but mine," she said with an expressionless face and sat down.

  The teacher's eyebrows rose.

  "First impressions... are more valuable than you think."

  As if nothing had happened, she extended her hand towards me and said, "Your turn." I stood up.

  "My name is Do?u? Arslanalp. My hobbies... reading books... uh, I guess that's it."

  "Your name is so old! What are you? A writer living in 2025?"

  Many people in the class laughed. I looked in the direction of the voice. A girl with purple hair and a mischievous look, sitting right behind me, said that.

  I knew how to answer her... but... for now, keeping my mouth shut was the most sensible thing. I sat back down.

  It was the turn of the student sitting next to that girl.

  "Uh—Well... I'm Keli... Grass. I like complex puzzles. Heh heh..." she said, scratching her head and glancing at the students.

  These introductions were normal. But she didn't seem like she would be a very impactful person in class.

  One row later, it was the purple-haired girl's turn.

  "My name is Lunura Lunor. I am very intelligent and athletic. Let's have a good 3 years. Especially with you, Do?u?."

  I felt her looking at me, but I didn't reciprocate.

  As the students in our row introduced themselves, I drifted off. Will my first mockery in high school life really be this?

  Being mocked for my name? What are you... a primary school child?

  But this girl seems different from the others. I'm curious... what is her purpose?

  It was the turn of the next row group.

  The student stood up calmly.

  "My name is Lior Zen, I like playing football, riding horses, and cats," he said and sat down. So far, he was the most informative... he caught my attention.

  His slight smile, the gentle appearance of his hair... he might not be as bad as the others.

  His eyes were large, and his hair came down slightly parted on the right.

  I think he's worth observing.

  As a girl stood up, my attention turned to her.

  "I'm Yasemin Yemi?... Let's get along well," she said, pausing strangely and bowing her head slightly, blushing. Everything is clear from the probabilities and Yasemin's reactions...

  A few students covered their mouths. People always find a place to mock...

  This girl also had a few striking features. Her white hair, reaching her chin, was parted in the middle. Her deep blue eyes sparkled.

  But I don't understand what they are laughing at.

  "Snow Weiss!" The student stood up so quickly and said her name that a few people jumped.

  Snow pointed to herself, making a "like" gesture.

  "I go to football practice, and I also did martial arts," impressive... but trying to impress ruins everything. And the sentence she couldn't form.

  "Also-"

  "Okay, that's enough Snow. You can sit down," said the teacher.

  Although Snow looked like she had been hit, she sat down.

  The person sitting next to Snow... was familiar.

  It was the turn of the last row group.

  Listening to one row's introductions was tiring enough... this could finish me off.

  When the introductions of the front rows ended, it was the turn of a boy with spiky hair. He stood up.

  "Bolk..." This was... a bit short.

  When it was the turn of the girl sitting next to Bolk.

  "Elara Veyra. If you're looking for a book friend, I'm here," she said in a dejected and lethargic tone. Was she generally like this?

  Her hair was rose-colored and messy. Her blonde hair looked like it hadn't seen a comb in years. She had fair skin. Her eyes weren't fully visible from here.

  For some reason... she has a pleasant aura.

  It was the turn of the last row. Even if I didn't listen to all the introductions, I would listen to this one.

  It was the turn of a girl in a black hoodie. Her straight, long black hair and tense gaze were striking.

  "H-Hello, my name is Elanur Arel, nice to meet you."

  This girl... a face rarely seen in society. A turtle that cannot go outside.

  "It was nice to meet everyone. There are 30 of us, 29 are here... good. Then we can start the lesson."

  As the introductions ended, Biology class began. Looking at these people, only one thing comes to mind: It's going to be a problematic year...

  But I still can't see it clearly. The future is uncertain.

  This feeling I've had since stepping into the school... is darkness.

  Also, most people in this class... don't seem to be awake. They are pure and blind. If this continues... this system will devour us piece by piece.

  They are just giving us time before they eat us. Until then... will we do nothing? Or will we take action and change things?

  These feelings I have about the system... these probabilities... show that no matter what we do, we will struggle.

  So, what will I do?